marlinman93
08-15-2016, 03:42 PM
It finally landed! About an hour ago the mailman knocked on the door and said, "I think you've been waiting for this!"
My new (to me) Ballard #7 Long Range Creedmoor model, in .44-100 Ballard!
All went well as far as care for the package, without even a scratch on the cardboard box! Well packaged, and in a decent hard case, with cardboard cover. Even if it took USPS almost a week longer than they estimated!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5011.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5011.jpg.html)
The gun isn't minty, but it's certainly well cared for at 141 years old! The seller thought the long range sight was a repro, but it's definitely original, with a repro aperture. The bore looks fantastic, and I just finished scoping it the entire length and found crisp rifling throughout. The barrel has a 7/16" front sight dovetail which I've only run into once before on a Ballard, and it too was a first year production. So guessing this changed after the first year. Has the typical 34" half octagon of the Ballard Long Range Creedmoor model.
Wood has some handling marks, but nothing big, and no typical Ballard cracks in the wrist. Checkering is strong on the buttstock, and some bumps on the forearm where it was rested while firing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5013.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5013.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5012.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5012.jpg.html)
The steel buttplate has a chip out of the toe, and tiny chip in the wood, but not sure I'll even bother repairing it; it's so small.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5018.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5018.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5016.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5016.jpg.html)
And then there's the cartridge! Seller sent along one assembled cartridge, which is a bit over 3.75" OAL!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5015.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5015.jpg.html)
John Dutcher shows eleven #7 Ballard known serial numbers, and this makes #12 known!
My new (to me) Ballard #7 Long Range Creedmoor model, in .44-100 Ballard!
All went well as far as care for the package, without even a scratch on the cardboard box! Well packaged, and in a decent hard case, with cardboard cover. Even if it took USPS almost a week longer than they estimated!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5011.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5011.jpg.html)
The gun isn't minty, but it's certainly well cared for at 141 years old! The seller thought the long range sight was a repro, but it's definitely original, with a repro aperture. The bore looks fantastic, and I just finished scoping it the entire length and found crisp rifling throughout. The barrel has a 7/16" front sight dovetail which I've only run into once before on a Ballard, and it too was a first year production. So guessing this changed after the first year. Has the typical 34" half octagon of the Ballard Long Range Creedmoor model.
Wood has some handling marks, but nothing big, and no typical Ballard cracks in the wrist. Checkering is strong on the buttstock, and some bumps on the forearm where it was rested while firing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5013.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5013.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5012.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5012.jpg.html)
The steel buttplate has a chip out of the toe, and tiny chip in the wood, but not sure I'll even bother repairing it; it's so small.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5018.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5018.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5016.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5016.jpg.html)
And then there's the cartridge! Seller sent along one assembled cartridge, which is a bit over 3.75" OAL!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF5015.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF5015.jpg.html)
John Dutcher shows eleven #7 Ballard known serial numbers, and this makes #12 known!